THE leader of Redditch Borough Council has joined forces with Bromsgrove and Stratford on Avon council leaders in writing to the Secretary of State regarding the ‘untenable’ situation at the Alexandra Hospital.
Council leaders, Councillor Bill Hartnett (Redditch), Coun Margaret Sherrey (Bromsgrove) and Coun Chris Saint (Stratford on Avon), have written to the Rt Hon Mr Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health to express concerns over the sudden, temporary closure of the obstetrics and neo natal unit at the Alexandra Hospital.
In the letter, which comes after the announcement by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust on Friday, the leaders questioned the closure and the issues surrounding it asking ‘how long temporary means’ and calling the closure ‘untenable’, ‘unethical’ and ‘a breach of NICE guidance’.
They feel that ‘the health economy in Worcestershire is no longer sustainable or safe’ and hope that this is not a ‘glimpse of what the future holds for Accident and Emergency and other local services.’
They have asked for the Secretary of State to consider putting WAHT in “special measures” if there is no other way forward, so that an emergency solution can be found with other Trusts in order to improve the situation quickly for local residents.
They are hoping to meet with the Secretary of State alongside local MPs Sajid Javid and Karen Lumley, on Wednesday, November 18 to try to resolve the situation once and for all.
The three leaders and MPs will also be meeting with the Trust Development Agency (TDA) on Monday (November 9) to discuss the closure.
